Pocono area seeks role in NJ Super Bowl next year

The Pocono area is trying to get in on the 2014 Super Bowl blitz — even if it's a Hail Mary pass.

MICHAEL SADOWSKI

The Pocono area is trying to get in on the 2014 Super Bowl blitz — even if it's a Hail Mary pass.

The Super Bowl will be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., the closest that one of the biggest events in the world has ever come to the Poconos. The Meadowlands is about 70 miles from the Delaware Water Gap Toll Bridge.

Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau officials have contacted the game's host committee to pitch possible ways the Pocono Mountains can be part of the festivities leading up to the big game.

Bureau President and CEO Carl Wilgus wrote to Super Bowl officials in January highlighting four ways the group can possibly help — through a volunteer appreciation voucher, providing winter climate experts, hospitality training and hosting a special event festival.

Wilgus said he followed up by phone with Mark Bingham, executive vice president of sales for the 2014 Super Bowl Host Committee, to discuss the possibilities.

Wilgus said the immediate New York and New Jersey area will get preference on all marketing opportunities because of the public and private money those states have invested in staging the game. There could be some future opportunities, however.

"We left the conversation that I would continue to keep him updated, and if an appropriate opportunity came along we would be happy to assist," Wilgus said.

Wilgus said bureau officials spent several months brainstorming and discussing possible areas of local participation before settling on those four.

He also said he has reached out to producers at Fox's NFL broadcast team, since Fox is airing the Super Bowl next year. He said he believes various Pocono locations could be a unique backdrop for any productions the network will air, including social events or festivals.

This is the first time the Super Bowl has been held in an open stadium in a cold-weather climate, which was the reason for offering the expertise of snowmakers and local ski resort employees.

He also wrote that about 25 Pocono resorts and attractions gave indications they would offer incentives to volunteers at the Super Bowl through a voucher. Wilgus said about 20,000 volunteers are reportedly needed.

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